The NRP Zaire drew attention this morning after it was seen in the waters of Calheta towing a speedboat. The patrol ship is currently stationed as part of the Portuguese Navy’s detachment to the island archipelago and is under the command of the Captaincy of the Port of Funchal. According to Marine Traffic, the vessel left last night for the north coast of Madeira, and the interception took place at dawn at 01:00. The operation lasted about an hour in an area north-northwest of Ponta do Pargo. Although the purpose of the mission was not immediately clear, it could have been a rescue operation, but this type of speedboat is often linked to drug transport or other illegal cargo. At the time of publication, it was still unknown whether the NRP Zaire was also carrying the speedboat’s crew. DIÁRIO contacted the Captaincy of the Port of Funchal, and later this afternoon it was confirmed that five men had been detained under suspicion of drug trafficking.
